Vice President Sara Duterte has formally requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the complaint accusing her of inciting to sedition and making grave threats. The complaint was filed after Duterte’s controversial remark suggesting she ordered someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others if she dies.
Duterte appeared in person at the DOJ on Friday to participate in the preliminary investigation and submitted her counter-affidavit, which firmly denied the allegations.
“I categorically deny the charges against me,” Duterte stated in her affidavit. “I welcome this opportunity to set the facts straight and to correct complainant’s false allegations, clear my name of their baseless charges, and spare our government and our people the corresponding waste of limited time, effort, and resources being caused thereby.”
Her legal team, represented by Atty. Paul Lim and Atty. Michael Poa, avoided revealing details of their defense, citing respect for the legal process. “We will not discuss our defenses at this point. We don’t want to preempt and out of respect na rin para po ma-appreciate ng walang outside influences ng mga prosecutors natin,” Poa explained in a GMA News Online report.
The complaint originated from Duterte’s 2024 statement, where she mentioned having ordered someone to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded. She later clarified that her remarks were taken out of context and were not intended as a threat.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that the vice president would receive due process, emphasizing that the rule of law will be upheld regardless of who is involved.
“The DOJ will ensure that the process will follow the normal course of law, and that accountability and the rule of law will prevail regardless of who the respondent may be,” the DOJ said in a statement.
The next preliminary investigation is scheduled for May 16.
